The Coming Kingdom: Understanding God's Plan for Victory and Restoration

The Old Testament paints a vivid picture of God's ultimate plan for His kingdom, but it's not the peaceful takeover many Christians expect. Through the prophet Daniel and other scriptures, we see that God's kingdom will come through divine judgment and cosmic warfare before establishing eternal peace.

What Happened to God's People in the Old Testament?

By the end of the Old Testament period, God's chosen people had been reduced to just two tribes - Judah and Benjamin, known collectively as the Kingdom of Judah. Despite facing the devastating conquest by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, the prophets offered hope: there would always be a remnant that survived, and an Edenic kingdom would come in the future.

The Divine Council Scene in Daniel 7

Who is the Son of Man?

Daniel 7 presents a crucial council scene where a second divine figure - the Son of Man - appears to receive an everlasting kingdom. This passage reveals that Jesus, as the Son of Man, will receive dominion over all peoples, nations, and languages. His kingdom will be everlasting and indestructible.

What Must Happen Before the Kingdom Comes?

The text is clear: before the Son of Man receives His kingdom, the beasts must be destroyed. Daniel sees that "the beast was killed and his body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire." Only after this judgment does the Son of Man receive His eternal dominion.

Who Are the Holy Ones of the Most High?

Understanding the Saints in Daniel's Vision

Daniel's vision reveals that "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and ever." The term "holy ones" can refer to both human followers of God and members of His divine council. This suggests a joint rulership in God's kingdom between believers and heavenly beings.

Why the Rapture Theory Doesn't Fit

A critical question emerges from Daniel's vision: if all the saints are removed from earth before tribulation, who is the horn making war against? The text clearly states that the horn "made war with the saints and prevailed over them." This indicates that God's people will be present during the final conflict, not removed beforehand.

The Fourth Beast and the Final Kingdom

What Does the Fourth Beast Represent?

Daniel describes a fourth beast that will "devour the whole earth and trample it down and break it to pieces." This beast will have ten horns (kings), and another horn will arise that "shall speak words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High."

The Time of Tribulation

The saints will be given into the beast's hand for "a time, times and half a time." During this period, this enemy will attempt to "change the times and the law" and will persecute God's people. However, the divine court will sit in judgment, and the beast's dominion will be "taken away to be consumed and destroyed to the end."

The Day of the Lord: God's Final Victory

What Will the Final Battle Look Like?

Scripture describes the Day of the Lord as a time of intense warfare, not peaceful transition. Zechariah 14 depicts God gathering "all the nations against Jerusalem to battle," followed by divine intervention where "the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle."

Who Will God Fight Against?

The battle involves both earthly and supernatural enemies. Isaiah reveals that "the Lord will punish the host of heaven in heaven and the kings of the earth on the earth." This cosmic conflict will involve the rebellious spiritual beings (the "watchers" or "gods") who have ruled the nations, as well as their human counterparts.

The Restoration of All Nations

God's Mission to Reclaim the Nations

While Israel failed in their mission as a "kingdom of priests" to tell the nations about God, God Himself will succeed in this mission. Isaiah 66 describes how God will send survivors "to the nations" who "shall declare my glory among the nations" and bring people from all nations back to worship the true God.

The New Heaven and New Earth

The ultimate result will be the creation of "new heavens and the new earth" where God's people from all nations will serve Him. This echoes the vision in Revelation and represents the complete restoration of God's original plan for creation.

Joint Rulership in God's Kingdom

Who Will Rule with Christ?

The kingdom will be given to "the nation of the holy ones of the Most High," indicating joint rulership between Christ, His human followers, and the divine council. Revelation confirms this, promising believers "authority over the nations" and the privilege to "sit down with me on my throne."

The Role of Believers Today

We currently live in the kingdom of God, though it's not fully realized. "Wherever we are gathered is where the kingdom of God is." This present reality should motivate believers to actively participate in God's mission to reach the nations.

Life Application

Understanding God's plan for His kingdom should radically change how we live today. Just as God judged Israel for failing to tell the nations about Him, Christians cannot expect to remain passive in sharing the gospel. We are called to be active participants in God's mission to reclaim the nations.

This week, consider how you can actively participate in God's kingdom mission. Are you sharing the hope of Christ with those around you? Are you living as someone who understands the cosmic significance of the gospel?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I actively telling others about Jesus, or am I content to sit passively in church?

• How does understanding the future victory of God's kingdom change my perspective on current world events?

• What role is God calling me to play in His mission to reach the nations?

• Am I living with the confidence that comes from knowing God's ultimate victory is certain?

The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope. While we await the final victory, we have the privilege of participating in God's mission today, knowing that His triumph is assured and His kingdom will have no end.